Top 5 Internships for Education Majors
Updated: January 19, 2023
Published: April 1, 2019
Students who major in education are given all the skills they need in order to effectively run a classroom. That’s what we hear all the time, right? While it’s true that education majors learn how to manage a classroom, the only way to truly prepare for how to properly convey information and deal with various classroom struggles is through teaching internships. Not only do education internships enable you to gain experience in elementary and secondary schools, but they also allow you to learn about the education system as a whole and gain valuable mentors who help shape you into a top educator.
So, what are internships for education majors?
Top 5 Types of Internships for Education Majors
Here’s a list of the five most popular education internships:
1. Government Agency Internships
Don’t be fooled, the world of education isn’t limited to teaching in a classroom. If you are interested in going into educational policy and administration, you’ve come to the right place. Government agency internships allow you to delve deeply into educational policy and permit you to witness meetings and even help research in order to help future projects. If this interests you, look into the internships that the Department of Education offers and begin the process of broadening your knowledge of the education system.
2. Nonprofit Internships
If going into the non-profit sector appeals to you, it is worthwhile to research nonprofit internships. What stands out about nonprofit internships is that you get a huge amount of personal satisfaction knowing that you are contributing to a worthwhile cause as you develop your skills. Whether you are working in a youth home or teaching in an area in need of academic support, you are sure to be gaining tremendously.
3. Edtech Internships
As our society develops, so does technology. If you are enthusiastic about electronic learning, otherwise known as e-learning, you should consider getting an ed-tech internship. This type of internship is suitable for someone who isn’t necessarily going into the teaching or administrative side of education, yet would still like to contribute to the education realm. Oftentimes ed-tech internships allow you to work with online learning companies or with educational apps, where you’d get the opportunity to help improve the learning process.
4. Primary or Secondary Schools Internships
Teaching internships in primary or secondary schools are an incredible resource for planning your teaching goals. Whether you choose to intern in a public or private school, you will be able to experience how a classroom is run and even get the opportunity to teach a few classes yourself. Witnessing a teacher’s daily routine allows you to decide what grade appeals to you and how you would like to run your future classroom. In addition, finding a mentor that can illustrate how to be an effective teacher is an incredible asset.
5. University Internships
Some people find themselves drawn to higher education, which is where university internships come into play. What is unique about university internships is the variety of positions you can work in, from research to working in admissions. The ability to immerse yourself in the higher education system gives you a clear picture of the positions that interest you which allows you to personalize your education goals.
Education Internship Examples
To give you a better idea of how an education internship plays out, here are some examples:
Teach for America is an incredible force against educational inequality. If you have strong leadership skills and want to make positive changes in a struggling community, you should consider applying to work for Teach for America.
Aspire2Teach works together with the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) and offers an internship for both graduate students and postdocs who wish to enter teaching or administrative positions. If specialized learning about the education system appeals to you, then Aspire2Teach is a great internship to look into.
The Department of Education provides internships for those who want to experience the behind-the-scenes in the federal education system. This internship that only gives you great insight into federal education policy, but it allows you to help in a multitude of areas such as research, finance, media, and much more.
What to Look For in an Education Internship
Before you apply for internships, you need to know what to look for so you make the best choice that aligns with your goals and interests.
Payment
Great news, just because you’re an intern doesn’t mean that you have to work for free! As Zippia reports, the median salary for an education intern is $34,580. While this may not sound like much to some, having the ability to be paid while you gain the skills that help you be successful in your career is something that can’t be taken for granted.
Prerequisites
Before you get your heart set on a particular internship, make sure that you meet all the requirements. In addition to being enrolled in school and having a well-written resume and cover letter, students should have letters of recommendation. It’s also important to know that sometimes employers have extra requirements like having a specific major.
Degree relevance
When you look for an internship it’s important to find one that has relevance to your degree. While it could be beneficial to get an internship that builds another set of skills, you should try to find an internship that will benefit your future career as well as stand out on your resume.
Mentorship Possibilities
Having the ability to learn from an experienced professional in your field is an asset that will serve you well. If your program does not assign a mentor to you as part of your internship, it’s important to take initiative and ask for advice and guidance as often as possible.
Opportunity for Employment
While not all internships lead to full-time jobs, showing that you have real-world experience besides for your degree will land your resume to the top of the stack. If you are interested in finding a position in a familiar environment, search for internships that are known for promoting their interns.
Earning Your Education Degree Online
Getting education internships is not the only way to expedite your career process.
Earning your education degree online allows you quick access to your required courses and the ability to learn on your schedule. The University of the People is an incredible asset for those who want to learn comfortably without compromising their education. Offering a widely successful Master of Education degree, UoPeople prepares you to work as a teacher, curriculum developer, administrator, and more.
In a Nutshell
By now the benefits of internships for education majors are crystal clear, so why not begin researching today? Stay sharp and mindful as you begin your selection for it’s important to find an internship that matches your career ambitions. The experience you gain through an internship is truly one of the best gifts you could have, so here’s to treating yourself!